An Garda Siochana at the scene in Dublin city centre
An Garda Siochana at the scene in Dublin city centre (Brian Lawless/PA)

The capital is struggling to resume normality today after night of chaos and looting

The capital is struggling to resume normality today after hours of rioting, unrest and looting yesterday evening.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has confirmed a total of 34 arrests for public order offences so far.

Mr Harris described last night’s scenes as “disgraceful” and said 32 of those arrested are appearing before the courts this morning.

He said 13 shops have been significantly damaged or subject to looting, 11 garda vehicles destroyed through arson or extensively damaged, three Dublin Buses destroyed and a Luas tram.

Mr Harris said one member of An Garda Síochána has “regrettably” been seriously injured and numerous other members have been injured.

He said the motive for the attack yesterday afternoon is still not clear and he will not engage in speculation.

The events were sparked by a stabbing incident in Dublin’s Parnell Square.

A female creche worker and a five-year-old girl are in a serious condition after the attack in Dublin city’s northside. Two other children suffered lesser injuries. And a man, who is currently under guard, also suffered injuries during the incident. He is currently in an unnamed hospital in the city.

To read the full story, visit the Ireland Independent site at this address:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/dublin-riots-capital-attempts-to-resume-normality-after-night-of-chaos-and-looting/a1602707052.html

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks of a conciliatory approach

As the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement approaches, Thursday, 22 December saw Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speak about the potential for a bright economic and political future if Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK approach their concerns in a conciliatory manner.

His comments include a plea to work together, and with the US and the EU to “create an inclusive, reconciled and prosperous future for all.”

He suggests that an essential first step is for the elected Assembly and Executive begin operating again in order for the North-South institutions to resume function.  He adds that, since the Northern Ireland elections took place in May, the citizens deserve to see their duly elected representatives taking on their responsibilities and that to do otherwise is denying the democratic wish of the people.

To read the Taoiseach’s full commentary, visit the Ireland Independent site at this address:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/dont-miss-this-chance-to-forge-a-better-future-for-everyone-in-northern-ireland-42237477.html

December 1, 2022: Taoiseach Micheál Martin greeting President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen outside Government Buildings in Dublin. ROLLINGNEWS.IE
December 1, 2022: Taoiseach Micheál Martin greeting President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen outside Government Buildings in Dublin. ROLLINGNEWS.IE

No hard border in Ireland, European Commission President insists

02 December 2022

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen addressed the joint Houses of the Oireachtas on December 1, stating that there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland. 

"Ireland can always count on the European Union to stand by the Good Friday Agreement," President von der Leyen told the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas on Thursday.

"There can be no hard border on the island of Ireland."

Earlier in her remarks, von der Leyen said: "Brexit will not become an obstacle on the path of reconciliation in Ireland."

She said any solution to the ongoing Brexit saga must involve Northern Ireland remaining in the single market and said a workable solution is "within reach" if all parties are "sensitive to this careful balance".   Von der Leyen said Brexit has thrust the EU and Ireland closer together and stated that all Europeans understand how important it is to preserve peace on the island of Ireland. 

She also said Ireland "lies at the heart of Europe", stating that the country "shows Europe's best face". 

"Joining the EU has unleashed Ireland's immense potential, and has profoundly transformed this country," she remarked.

"Today all other Europeans look up to Ireland," von der Leyen said, noting that the Irish people "are inclusive, loyal to your history, and open to the future and the world."

Read the full story at irishcentral.com here:

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/no-hard-border-ireland-von-der-leyen?utm_source=jeeng

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Meta expected to axe close to 400 jobs in Ireland as it confirms 11,000 cuts worldwide

Internal announcement of the company's layoff plans happened at 11am Irish time

Adrian Weckler, Eoghan Moloney and Ciara O'Loughlin

November 08 2022 10:00 PM


Meta has confirmed it is cutting 11,000 jobs across its 87,000-person strong global operation, but has not provided a figure for the number of Irish roles affected.

The company – formerly Facebook Inc – announced it would cut 13pc of its worldwide staff, but has not yet specified how many jobs will go in Ireland.

However, a spokesperson told Independent.ie that the figure will "track” with the percentage globally.

It employs 3,000 staff in Ireland, which would equate to 390 jobs cut.

"The number of redundancies at Meta Ireland will be similar to the global figure although we won’t be in a position to confirm the final number of redundancies until the collective consultation process is completed. This announcement impacts Meta employees (3,000 in Ireland). It doesn’t affect contractors,” the spokesperson said.

Read the rest of the story at the Independent .ie here:

https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/meta-expected-to-axe-close-to-400-jobs-in-ireland-as-it-confirms-11000-cuts-worldwide-42129675.html

Parliament buildings in Stormont, Belfast, th seat of the Northern Ireland Government

Northern Ireland election to be called after talks fail to restore power-sharing

IrishCentral Staff

@IrishCentral

Oct 28, 2022

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has confirmed that he will be calling a fresh Assembly election after last-minute talks failed to restore devolved government in the region.

Heaton-Harris said on Friday that he was "extremely disappointed" the Executive was not reformed by the October 28 deadline.

"This is a really serious situation," Heaton-Harris told reporters on Friday.

"As of a minute past midnight last night, there are no longer ministers in office in the Northern Ireland Executive.

"Now I will take limited but necessary steps to ensure public services do continue to run and to protect the public finances.

"But there's a limit to what the Secretary of State can do in these circumstances."

Heaton-Harris said joint authority in Northern Ireland "is something that we will simply not consider.

"It's not based on the consent mechanism that is threaded through the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement. 

"So, we are where we are. I have limited options ahead of me. I am under a legal duty to call an election within 12 weeks.

"I've had lots and lots of talks with all the parties and will continue to do so.

"I hear when parties say that they really do not want an election at all, but nearly all of them the parties who signed up to the rules, the law that means that I need to call an election.

"You'll hear from me on that particular point next week."

The opportunity to appoint ministers to the Executive expires at one minute past midnight on Friday, October 28.

The Northern Ireland Assembly was recalled on Thursday, October 27 in a last-minute attempt to restore devolved government, but attempts to elect a new house speaker were unsuccessful, preventing any other business from being concluded.

Devolved government has not functioned in Northern Ireland since before the most recent assembly elections in May when Sinn Féin made history by becoming the first nationalist party to win the highest number of seats in the Assembly. 

However, the DUP is refusing to enter into power-sharing with Sinn Féin until its concerns over Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol are addressed. 

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, power-sharing in Northern Ireland can only be restored with cross-community consent from nationalist and unionist parties. 

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson blamed the UK Government for the failure to restore devolved government, adding that the government could have extended the six-month deadline period but chose not to. 

"We've had six months in which to do something about the protocol, and during those six months we have had three prime ministers, we have had the government changed often and we haven't seen the progress that is needed," Donaldson told BBC Radio Ulster. 

"I think the government would be within its rights to say given that those six months have elapsed and progress hasn't been made that we need a further period to sort this out, get a solution on the protocol that restores Northern Ireland's place within the UK internal market and that will see the institutions restored immediately."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the key issue in Northern Ireland is the restoration of the assembly and the executive, adding that it is regrettable that the DUP did not take its seats in the assembly. 

Martin said another election would lead to "further polarization", adding that there is an "obligation on everybody" to ensure that a second election doesn't happen. 

Fourth energy supplier leaves the Irish market as crisis deepens

A FOURTH energy supplier is leaving the Irish market.

Panda Power, which has around 60,000 residential electricity and gas customers, is the latest victim of the energy crunch.

It comes after Spanish energy giant Iberdrola pulled out of the residential supply market here, and GlowPower and Bright Energy left.

The enormous surge in wholesale energy costs since the Russians invaded Ukraine have squeezed resellers like Panda, making it very difficult for them to make a return.

Panda Power only increased its electricity and gas prices in August. Electricity prices went up 12.7pc, and gas by 25.8pc.

It was Panda’s second price increase this year. It last raised its prices in May. Last year it increased electricity prices five times and gas prices four times.

After the new price rises the average customer ended up paying about €2,500 a year for their electricity and €2,000 for their gas.

Read the full story here…